Steve Ballmer The important thing is our relationship with Aspiration and our players relationship with Aspiration were independent I feel quite confident in that we abided by the rules I welcome the investigation Its a great way from our perspective to get the facts out there

Steve Ballmer In an exclusive interview with Ramona Shelburne and ESPN last year following Pablo Torres reporting on the Clippers alleged salary-cap circumvention through Aspiration They conned me

Adam Silver I think that in terms of Steve's Ballmer statement I'd say putting aside the precise words he chose to use Most importantly he indicated a willingness to accept the league's decision in this case and the accompanying sanctions so that's initially what I was most focused on

Pablo Torre On the DOJ investigation while holding the new plant he just bought The reason Ive been anticipating this is because as Ive repeatedly said on the show the main reason Ballmer would not want to admit any kind of guilt is everything else thats happening to him in the real world

Pablo Torre says the NBA approached Steve Ballmer told him they found wrongdoing and tried to get him to admit to it and accept the punishment Instead Ballmer chose to fight it so the NBA turned around and found a way to settle the matter with Kawhi and the NBPA

Shelburne They're talking about a settlement conversations have been more about this failure to supervise and the nature of the introductions that were made between the Clippers and Kawhi's people rather than direct evidence of salary cap circumvention done by Steve Ballmer

Pablo Torre On Ballmers apology He is not admitting to wrongdoing that has been investigated and proven on our show and by the NBA And that is notable Its because the question of his own admission of guilt is at the heart of what the DOJ is looking into It is key to what the SEC is probing